Accessory for garment pressing irons



June 10, 1941.

T. cRocELLA ACCESSORY FOR GARMENT P-RESSING IRONS Filed April 11, I938 INVENTOR. .fliamaa' fivcella/ I M *w ATTORNEYS Patented June 1%, i941 accnssoay son GARMENT raEssrNe moms 3 Claims. (CI. 38-30) This invention relates to an accessory for hand irons for pressing garments or similar articles and has particular reference to a device for facilitating the lifting and balancing of an iron during the pressing operation, the same being in the nature of an improvement upon a similar device disclosed in my prior United States Letters Patent No. 2,984,765, granted June 22, 1937.

The invention broadly provides in a device of the indicated character, a flexible tensioned element depending from an overhead support which functions when connected to the iron to lessen the effort required to lift and move the same over the pressing board, together with means of connection between said element and the iron for varying the balance of the iron when in use so as to adapt the same to the requirements of each individual operator.

More particlularly the invention includes in a device of the character set forth, a hanger bar having flexible means of connection at its opposi'te ends with the forward and rear portions of the iron and having means for selectively connecting the tensioned support to the hanger bar at any one of a number of longitudinally spaced points at or on opposite sides of the center of gravity of the iron so as to effect a variation in the balance of the iron when the same is in active use.

The invention further provides a suspension track for a trolley from whichthe flexible tensioned element is suspended, the opposite ends of which track are independently adjustable to facilitate free and smooth running of the trolley over the track.

As a further feature the invention includes simple and eiiective means for regulating the tension of the flexible element so as to vary the weight of the iron on the pressing board when in active use and to adjust the amount of effort required in lifting the iron to and from the iron rest.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention is more particularly set forth in the following specification, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective view illustrating an accessory constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of the iron, the hanger bar and a portion of the flexible tensioned element.

Referring to the drawing by characters of referenoe, the device includes the usual garment pressing board in which is mounted upon the upper surface of a table or other supporting structure I! and on which is also arranged an iron rest if; for supporting an iron 14 when the same is not in active use.

For the purpose of producing a tensioned upward lift on the iron, and for varying the balance of the iron When it isin the hand of the operator, an accessory is provided which includes a trolley l 5 having guided rolling movement longitudinally of a rod it which constitutes a track supported at its opposite endsby Vertical standards ll anchored at. their lower ends to the upper surface of the table or supporting structure H.

The trolley is provided with a .bearing element or bail it to the lower portion of which is secured the upper end of a depending flexible contractile spring iii with the lower hooked end 28 of which spring one of the links of a chain 25 is selectively engaged. The lower end of the chain 2! is provided with a hook 22 adapted for connection with a hanger 23, which hanger is preferably in the form of an arcuate bar having a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse apertures 2 adapted to be selectively engaged by the hook 22 of the chain 2!. The hanger bar 23 is provided at the opposite ends with depending flexible attaching elements 25 and 26 having hooked terminals 2'! and 28 respectively adapted for detachable connection with the iron it adjacent the forward and rear portion thereof so that the bar is disposed longitudinally of and above the iron as shown.

The balance of the iron is varied to suit the desire of each individual operator by engaging the hook 22 at the lower end of the chain 2! in any one of the apertures 2d of the hanger bar 23,

it being apparent that when engaged with the apertures nearer the front end of the bar, the farther the connection is from. the center of gravity of the iron and consequently the rear end of the iron will overbalance the forward end thus imparting a lifting tendency to the forward end. Different operators prefer the lifting tendency disposed at one end or the other in varying degrees, while others desire an equal balancing of the iron in which instance the hook 22 is engaged in the center aperture.

The rod l6, constituting the trolley track, is carried by the standards I! for independent vertical adjustment of the opposite ends thereof so as to effect smooth and free running of the trolley thereover. The means for assemblying and adjustably supporting the rod 16 by the standards I! consists of a fitting 29 on each standard, which fittings each defines a vertical sleeve 30 and a horizonal sleeve 3| adapted to slidably receive the standards I! and the opposite ends of the track rod l6. Set screws 32 and 33 are threaded through the sleeves to lock the rod and standards in assembled adjusted relation.

In use, the tension of the flexible element may be regulated to vary the weight of the iron on the pressing board and adjust the amount of I effort required in lifting the iron to and from the iron rest l3 by selectively engaging the links of the chain 2| with the hooked terminal 20, it being apparent that by engaging links nearer the hook 22 with the hood 20 the tension will be increased, while engaging the link farther from the hook 22 with the hood 20 will decrease the tension.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described, an elevated supporting track, a pressing iron, a trolley longitudinally guided by the track, a laterally flexible contractile spring depending from the trolley, a longitudinally extending hanger bar, flexible attaching elements connected to the opposite ends of the hanger bar and to the pressing iron adjacent the forward and rear portions thereof flexibly connecting the iron to the hanger bar, flexible means connected to the lower end of said contractile spring, and interengageable means provided respectively on the lower end of said flexible means and at longitudinal spaced points of said hanger bar for selectively connecting the flexible means to said hanger bar at longitudinally spaced points for regulating the longitudinal balance of the iron when in active use.

2. In a device of the character described, an elevated supporting track vertically adjustable at its opposite ends to vary the inclination thereof, a pressing iron, a trolley longitudinally guided by the track, a laterally flexible contractile spring depending from the trolley, a longitudinally extending hanger bar, flexible means connected to the opposite ends of the hanger bar and to the pressing iron adjacent the forward and rear portions thereof, said bar being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending apertures, and means connected to the lower end of said contractile spring and adapted to selectively engage in any one of said apertures in the hanger bar for regulating the longitudinal balance of the iron, and said last named means being adjustable for regulating the tension of said spring so as to vary the weight of the iron on the pressing board.

3. In a device of the character described, a pressing iron, a hanger bar extending longitudinally of the pressing iron, flexible means independently connected at the opposite ends of the hanger bar and connected to the pressing iron adjacent the forward and rear portions thereof, laterally flexible resilient suspension means for normally exerting an upward tension on the iron, and interengageable means between the lower end of said suspension means and said hanger bar connecting the suspension means to the hanger bar for selectively exerting said upward tension on the hanger bar at spaced points disposed substantially throughout its length and relative to the center of gravity of the iron so as to regulate the longitudinal balance of the iron when in active use.

THOMAS CROCELLA. 

